Ozone Pollution Impacts on Native Trees and Wildflowers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

摘要

The purpose of this project was to obtain a significant new understanding of the impacts of ozone pollution on selected tree and wildflower species in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). The objectives of the study were addressed through (1) tree ring analyses to relate tree growth to past ozone concentration and climate variations, (2) high resolution analyses of daily growth patterns of mature trees related to variations in ozone concentration and climate, (3) determination of the relationship between ambient ozone concentrations and growth and reproduction of native wildflowers growing in GRSM (both in situ and in bioindicator gardens (bioindicators are ozone sensitive species used to detect the presence of phytotoxic ozone levels in the field)), and (4) education of the public to the rationales, approaches, and results of the studies through the Parks as Classrooms program implemented with strategic placement of bioindicator gardens with ozone-sensitive species in GRSM.